PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The Palawan culture and arts program assures close monitoring of towns’ established councils to ensure their functions in preserving and enriching arts and culture in the province.

Culture and arts program manager Ceasar Sammy Magbanua said during Arampangan sa Kapitolyo on Thursday, that it is part of the program’s commitment to help local art establish its own identity.

“Tutulong tayo diyan na siguruhin na ang kanilang culture and arts council ay well-represented ng iba’t ibang sektor sa kanilang bayan na ‘yon talaga ay kikilos para sa pagpapayaman at pangangalaga ng kultura nila,” he said.

["We will help to make sure that their culture and arts council is well-represented by different sectors in their town that will actually act for the enrichment and preservation of their culture."]

The function of the culture and arts councils was among the topics discussed during the first culture and arts summit hosted by the provincial government.

Magbanua admitted that the local community is still facing challenges in establishing its identity and needs to address some issues, such as co-modifying culture and the authenticity of performances shown to guests.

Local artists and cultural workers agreed that the traditional practices and culture of indigenous peoples must not be exploited. Magbanua believes that the summit is one of the significant steps in attaining the goal of local art identity.

“Isa sa challenges ng summit na ‘yon ay kung paano maipagpapatuloy ang momentum na nakuha natin sa summit na ‘yan. Dapat hindi mamatay na lamang, hindi maging ningas-kugon na after the two-day summit ay wala ng mga follow-ups,” he said.

["One of the challenges of that summit is to continue the momentum we got from that summit. It should not just die, not become a blaze that after the two-day summit there are no follow-ups."]

The National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) is also assisting municipalities in the conduct of cultural mapping and the creation of culture and arts development plans, he added.

He underscored the importance of the towns’ knowledge of culture and the assets they have to protect for future generations.

May Lacao, development management officer at the Office of the Governor, acknowledged suggestions during the summit to further zoom in on the province’s concerns in culture and the arts.

Lacao added that an important point to also consider in further enriching Palawan’s culture and arts is looking into its preservation. Artists must also invest in themselves and have strengthened financial literacy to make art sustainable while meeting their needs.

“Ang Palawan ay melting pot na. Marami na tayong mga other ethnics group kaya sa palagay ko ang arts natin ay hindi natin dapat itulak na ‘yong lulutang lang dito ay ethnic na mga arts natin. Iba-iba ang ating mga pinanggalingan, maaaring iba-iba rin ang kanilang background and experience na lalabas sa arts,” she said.

["Palawan is a melting pot. We already have many other ethnic groups, so I think that our arts should not be pushed that the only ones that will float here are our ethnic arts. Our origins are different, their background and experience may also be different in arts."]

Aside from conducting the summit and celebrating the Sikatugyaw Festival through various activities, the culture and arts program is also advocating for art education among local government units and schools.

Magbanua, on the other hand, said that it is a challenge for them to compete with the growing interest of youth in technology as they push to encourage them to pursue the arts. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)